a classic place to be...Philadelphia.

After a long travel day yesterday, I arrived in Philadelphia and made my way over to my homestay (John Paul Duffy) in Chesnut Hill. This HAS to be one of the prettiest places in America. Huge properties, lucious lawns and trees, narrow cobblestone streets, small shops- produce, meat, and grain markets, a yummy bakery-- and a trailhead/park literally 100m away from my homestay's front steps. Honestly, I love it here.

Weather is pretty warm here-- humid. Like a hairdryer blowing on you constantly. :) Last night there were MASSIVE thunderstorms- heavy rain and hail. I have a video and pics of the rain I'll post when I get back from the race. It was pretty awesome.

I feel pretty good- I look forward to seeing what I can do tomorrow in the race. This year is quite a different experience than my previous 3 years in the sport. Every race is a new experience and I learn something about myself physically and mentally- and tactically. It makes me appreciate the level of a professional triathlete and the experience factor of racing 5+ years (even as a pro)-- it's just a different kind of race. Fun. And do I love what I do for a living? Absolutely. But it's a learning process and it tests my patience and challenges my confidence in abilities and where I am going in the sport. But this is what "they" call it-- The Grind. The work and the races that develop you to be a complete athlete. I'm in...for the long haul.

Have a great weekend and you'll hear from me soon!

Best of luck to those racing Des Moine- HyVee this morning. Good luck to Vincey- in Atlanta. The IronGirl Sprint. Good luck to those in Buffalo Springs. And to y'all not racing-- have a great weekend- full of training and relaxing.